Kernels, Yankees Split

Published on May 2, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays News Release


BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — The Battle Creek Yankees scored with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-2 Friday night in the second game of a Midwest League baseball double-header at C.O. Brown Stadium. The Kernels defeated the Yankees 4-1 in the opener. The two teams meet again at 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

In the nightcap, the Kernels took a 2-0 lead in the second on an RBI triple by Erick Aybar and a groundout RBI by Tommy Duenas.

The Yankees tied the game with single runs in the second and third. Matt Carson and Tommy Rojas hit back-to-back one-out singles in the second, and Carson scored on a fielder's choice by Andres Nunez. Joaquin Arias singled and later scored on a single by Juan Camacho in the third. The Yankees then loaded the bases on a single by Rudy Guillen and a walk to Carson with two outs, but couldn't score.

The Kernels loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh, but a nifty 1-2-3 double play got the Yankees out of the jam.

The winning run came in the seventh and final inning. Alexander Santa led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Gabe Lopez, advanced to third on a single by Arias, and scored as Jayson Drobiak hit a grounder to third. Instead of going for an inning-ending double play, third baseman Justin Hancock threw home — the throw was way off the mark, allowing Santa to score the winning run.

Charlie Isaacson (2-0) got the win in relief of starter Jose Valdez, who pitched five strong innings. They combined on a three-hitter. Austin Bilke (0-3) pitched the seventh for the Kernels and was tagged with the loss.

In the first game, Battle Creek got seven hits — including two doubles by Guillen and two singles by Arias — but just one run.

Cedar Rapids took a 1-0 lead in the third, then added three runs in the fourth for a 4-0 lead.

The Yankees scored in the fourth on a lead-off double by Omir Santos and an RBI single by Carson.

BATTLE CREEK vs. CEDAR RAPIDS

Sat — RHP Jose Garcia (2-1, 0.74) vs. Kevin Jepsen (5-0, 1.75)
Sun — RHP Brandon Harmsen (1-1, 4.05) vs. RHP James Holcomb (0-0, 1.80)

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Midwest League Stories from May 2, 2003


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